Who among today's perpetually online individuals hasn't considered creating a podcast at least once, regardless of whether they actually have something to say? Enter Lennon Gates (Sylvie Mix), who at the start of Poser might really have some ideas worth recording. However, as the story develops, more nuanced facets concerning Poser's protagonist as well as the ironic gloom that permeates the small-town setting she walks through like a ghost are revealed. Some of these levels, though, might be overlooked. Poser is a scattershot yet sharp parody of the nascent identity crisis that pokes fun at female friendships, indie music culture, podcasts, and obsession. The movie feels new even if everything is revealed too late in the end.


Lennon Gates, who resides in Columbus, Ohio, seems off at the beginning of the movie. Lennon launches a podcast where she attends underground concerts and does interviews with local musicians as a result of her interest in the area's music scene. Lennon meets Bobbi Kitten through this venture, who is portraying herself as the lead singer of the band Damn the Witch Siren. The two become friends, with Lennon becoming increasingly attracted by Bobbi's lack of inhibition and motivated to write her own music. What starts out as a project that seems innocent enough gradually develops into something that poses a threat to Lennon's entire life.


Lennon is a mysterious character, and while this is probably on purpose, it leaves the audience with little to grip onto in the first thirty or so minutes of the film. She comically searches for "how to start a podcast" and "what is performance art" on google twice, and this demonstrates her naivete, which definitely endears her to viewers, especially those who will find it amusing that she's beginning a podcast in the first place. With full knowledge of the level of pretentiousness on display, writer-director Noah Dixon and co-writer Ori Segev continually wink in the direction of the audience. A montage of musicians who, when asked about their musical genre in an interview, come up with absurd answers is among the film's most hilarious scenes.


Despite this, Lennon has a seriousness about her that ensures neither she nor the performers are ever made fun of, even when she finds herself befriending Bobbi. As the lead vocalist of a catchy but razor-sharp band with a bandmate who never takes off a garish and frightful Halloween wolf mask, Bobbi is everything john Lennon is not (and possibly aspires to be). Poser also exhibits a love for the Columbus music scene and music in general, especially in light of its excellent soundtrack.